through which a cat might have climbed without endangering its spine--a
very dexterous cat.

"Well," I mused, softly nursing the lump on my head, "here's the devil
to pay, and not a cent to pay him with."

It was evident that, without knowing it, I had become a very important
personage.




CHAPTER VII

I saw some rye bread, cold meat and a pitcher of water on the table,
and I made a sandwich and washed it down with a few swallows of the
cool liquid. I had a fever and the water chilled it. There was a lump
on the back of my head as large as an egg. With what water remained I
dampened my handkerchief and wound it around the injury. Then I made a
systematic search through my clothes. Not a single article of my
belongings was missing. I was rather sorry, for it lent a deeper
significance to my incarceration. After this, I proceeded to take an
inventory of my surroundings. Below and beyond the little window I saw
a wide expanse of beautiful gardens, fine oaks and firs, velvet lawns
and white pebbled roads. Marble fountains made them merry in the
roseate hue of early morning. A gardener was busy among some hedges,
but beyond the sound of my voice. I was a prisoner in no common jail,
then, but in the garret of a private residence. Having satisfied
myself that there was no possible escape, I returned to my pallet and
lay down. Why I was here a prisoner I knew not. I thought over all I